In 2016, the Church experienced a spike in stakes worldwide that hasn't been seen in more than a decade, according to the study.

But unfortunately, the study also showed that in 2016 the Church in the U.S. had one of the smallest increases in wards and branches, with Utah and Idaho among the states most affected.

Throughout the study, interesting contrasts between membership increases and decreases are found worldwide. According to a Mormon Newsroom article, Africa is one of the fastest growing areas of the Church. But as the study identifies, Ethiopia—which, despite having the second largest population on the continent—has fewer branches than it did three years ago.

And although the study notes the Church experienced significant growth in some parts of Asia, with Elder M. Russell Ballard noting in 2015 a "rich harvest of honest souls" as was foretold, the only branch in Armenia was discontinued this year.

In all, the findings of the study concluded with the top 10 most encouraging growth findings for the Church in 2016. Here are just a few:

1. Largest number of new stakes created in a single year since 1997

2. Rapid growth accelerated in West Africa

3. The Church created its first LDS stakes in three nations (Benin, Czechia, and Liberia)

4. New temples (with four new temples set to be built in Belem, Brazil; Quito, Ecuador; Lima, Peru; and Harare, Zimbabwe)

5. LDS congregations in Syria and Iraq

The study also included the top 10 most discouraging findings in Church growth developments in 2016, which included:

1. Congregational growth slowed in the United States

2. Stagnant growth in Europe

3. Congregational decline in the South America Northwest Area

4. Sole LDS stake in Armenia discontinued

5. Stake discontinuations and congregational decline in South Korea

Martinich used data found on LDS websites such as lds.org and information contributed to the study, but limitations on the study included limited access to LDS statistical data and a lack of reports from members, missionaries, and Church leaders from particular areas of the world. Martinich also noted that the official data for the end of 2016 for each country will not be published until April 2017.

Lead image from heraldextra.com

From Samuel Smith's first missionary efforts in 1830 to the more than 88,000 missionaries now serving worldwide, the Church continues the modern-day effort to fulfill the Lord's mandate: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations" (Matthew 28:19).